The Pumpkin Patch

This past weekend was quite a busy one. UT's homecoming parade AND our family trip to the pumpkin patch AND a homecooked dinner for some company was all in one day. RD and I laughed at how pictures make it seem like things are perfect all the time. Kids are always smiling...no one is ever sick...or tired....or whiney...the parents never argue about who has to deal with what meltdown...the list goes on. :) WHEN (in all reality), our trip to the pumpkin patch was nothing like we had expected. El was on a sugar high from the candy she got at the parade. Plus no nap. Plus it being close to dinner time. So when she didn't get the exact pumpkin she wanted (it was the size of a tea cup) and when cousin Jack briefly "borrowed" her wheel barrow, and when she couldn't see the sow having babies (yes we saw a pig in labor)...she threw a temper tantrum...multiple times.

Oh well----we did get a few good pics and she was ultimately quite happy to have gone. And of course, she got a pumpkin cookie. :) Ems? She was in her own little world. As long as she was walking or banging the tops of pumpkins, she was content.

Em turns ONE in 10 days. Holy moly...what a wonderful year this has been for our family. RD has made Em's "one year video" and it is out of this world. He is so great at that, and puts so much thought and energy into it. Despite the fact that he's working a full time job, scraping/power washing/painting the exterior of our house, attempting to lead our church and our family...he still has been staying up till 1 AM to get this video done. He is the best. So here's a shout out to RD today, that's for sure!

And last but most important thing: please be praying for RD's mom, Linda. Most of our friends know that her cancer has returned (she was cancer free for 9 years) and it is quite aggressive this time. The doctors have diagnosed it as stage 4 lung cancer. Praise the good Lord, after she chose to end the horrible and unhelpful Chemo, she had been symptom-free since the news (early Spring) and got to enjoy her summer! Sadly, however, she has recently been feeling quite bad and is experiencing both rib and back pain. We won't know details until her scan in a few weeks. She is currently in Florida with a friend and we are praying for respite, healing, and truthfully---just God's peace. This is a hard hard time for her and for the family. Thanks for your prayers.